Conveyer system for bakeries



June 15, 1954 J. L. ATwQOD 2,681,130

CONVEYER SYSTEM FOR BAKERIES Filed Nov. 14, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.

Fig.2 James L. Alwa od INVENTOR.

BY ww mm June 15, 1954 J. ATWOOD CONVEYER SYSTEM FOR BAKERIES 3 Swag-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 14, 1950 James L. Atwood INVENTOR.

y /I MM 3% Patented June 15, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 2 Claims.

The present application is a continuation-inpart of my co-pending application, Serial No. 158,435, now Patent No. 2,639,800, dated May 26, 1953, and relates to improvements in conveyor systems and more particularly to the type of conveyor system which is well adapted for use in bakeries and the like for conveying trays of food articles from one conveyor to another conveyor .by a novel transferring means interposed between the conveyors.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved conveyor system whereby trays of bakery goods may be transferred from one conveyor to another conveyor traveling in a different direction.

A further object of the present invention resides in the novel means whereby the transferring is effected from one conveyor to a second conveyor, the novel means including an intermediat conveyor which is vertically movable on a platform for conveying a tray from the first conveyor to the second conveyor which is angularly disposed thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means which is actuated in response to movement of the article being conveyed on the first conveyor whereby the article may be transferred to a second conveyor by a transferring means.

Still further objects of the present invention are to provide novel means for vertically moving the platform which comprises an element of the transferring means whereby engagement is had with the article being transferred from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.

This invention also has for its object to provide a common drive means for the first and second conveyors and the intermediate conveyor with pneumatic means being provided for vertically displacing the platform supporting the intermediate conveyor means.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description to follow. The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the conveyor system;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the present invention showing the transferring means in its lower position;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 33 of Figure 1 and showing the transferring means in its raised position;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view showing the connection between the drive means and the intermediate conveyor means;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of a portion of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a detail sectional View taken substantially along the plane of line 7-1 of Figure 1; and

Figure 8 is a detail vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 3-8 of Fig ure 4.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, the numeral Ill designates generally the conveyor system of the present invention which is comprised of a first conveyor 52 which has its free end juxtaposed to an oven or the like for receiving the articles to be conveyed, a second conveyor I4 to which the articles are to be transferred, and an intermediate conveyor means l6 by which the transfer from the first conveyor I2 to the second conveyor i4 is accomplished.

The fram for the first conveyor I2 is comprised of a plurality of upstanding angle irons ll, [8, 2B and 22 which are longitudinally joined by a plurality of angle irons 24 and 26, transversely extending angle irons 28 joining the ends of the frame to provide a rigid structure. The frame also includes a pair of intermediate struts 30 which join the longitudinal struts 2t and. 25.

A pair of transversely extending shafts 32 and 34 are rotatably supported by the frame for the first conveyor l2, and sprockets 3&3, 38, 4t) and 42 are secured to the shafts 32 and 35, for rotation therewith. Conveyor chains 45 are disposed over the sprockets for simultaneous rotation and are adapted to support trays it for longitudinal movement from one end of the frame to the transferring means of the intermediate conveyor H5.

The second conveyor it is substantially similar in construction to the first conveyor l2, being comprised of a plurality of longitudinally extending angle irons 8 and 5t joining the upstanding angle irons 52, 54, 56 and 58. Transversely extending angle irons 6i] join the longitudinally extending angle irons i8 and 59 and the upstanding angle irons 52 and 54, 5? and 56 and 53. A. pair of sprockets 62 are rotatably supported on brackets 63 which are secured to the frame for the second conveyor M. A second pair of sprockets 64 are rotatably secured to brackets 56 which are mounted on the frame for the second conveyor l4 adjacent to the transferring means of the in- 3 termediate conveyor I6. A pair of endless conveyor chains 66 are disposed over the sprockets 62 and 64 whereby a tray I may be supported for longitudinal movement thereon and from the transferring means of the intermediate conveyor I6.

The drive means designated generally by the numeral II for driving the first and second conveyors I2 and I4 is seen best in Figure 2 as comprising a drive belt I2 for driving a drive pulley 14. The drive pulle I 3 is rotatably supported on the outstanding elements I6 which are secured to the frame of the first conveyor I2. An intermediate pulley 86 is similarly rotatably supported by the frame of the first conveyor I2 on the elements 82 and a belt I8 connects the drive pulley 14 with the intermediate pulley 86. Another belt 84 passes over a second sheave of the intermediate pulley 80 and connects the pulley on the shaft 88 for rotation therewith. Sinc the pulleys B4 are secured to the shaft 88 for rotation therewith, the conveyor chains 68 on the second conveyor I4 will be actuated therewith.

The shaft 34 of the first conveyor I2 has an outwardly extending portion if] to the end of which is secured a beveled gear 92. The beveled gear 92 is in operative engagement with the beveled gear 8 3 secured to the shaft 68 of the second conveyor I4, whereby rotation of the drive means effects rotation of both the sprockets 84 of the second conveyor and the sprockets 36 and 42 of the first conveyor I2.

The transferring means whereby the trays may be transferred from the first conveyor I2 to the second conveyor HI will now be described. Looking now at Figures 2, 3 and 4, it Will be seen that four upstanding angle irons IE6 are secured in spaced relation to each other having their bases secured to transversely extending angle irons 28 and 36 of the frame of the first conveyor I2. A pair of angle irons H32 and H34 join the bases of the upstanding angle irons I06. Disposed over the upper ends of the upstanding angle irons I06 is a substantially rectangular fram comprised of the angle irons Ills, I66 I68 and IIII which hav their ends secured to each other to provide a substantially rectangular frame. The corners of the rectangular frame which comprise the platform H2 have downwardly extending angle irons IId which are reciprocably guided within the upstanding angle irons I05, as seen best in Figure 8. A plurality of set screws II6 ar secured to the downwardly extending angle irons II-i for vertical reciprocation in the slots II8 formed in the upwardly extending angle irons I00, whereby the vertical displacement of the platform II2 may be limited.

A pair of sprocket gears I are secured to the ends of the shaft I2! which is rotatably supported on the platform H2 for vertical displacement therewith. A second pair of sprocket gears I22 are secured to the shaft I24 for rotation therewith, the shaft I24 being similarly disposed on the platform I I2 for movement therewith. Endless chain means I26 are disposed over the pairs of sprocket gears 21? and I22 for rotation therewith.

The means for effecting actuation of the sprockets I26 and shaft I2I to which they are attached, includes the sprocket I26 which is secured to the shaft I2I. As seen best in Figure 5, a sprocket I321 is secured to the shaft 8'! of th intermediate pulley 83 for rotation therewith. A pair of spacer bars I32 are rotatably disposed on the shaft 81 on either side of the 4 sprocket gear I30 and support a shaft I3 l by their outer ends. A second pair of spacer bars I36 hav their ends rotatably mounted on the shaft I34 and the shaft I2I and are disposed on either side of the sprocket I28. An intermediate sprocket I 38 is secured to the shaft I3i and is connected to the sprocket I39 by means of the chain I40. A second intermediate sprocket IE2 is secured to the shaft I35 for rotation therewith and is connected to the pulley I28 by means of the chain I44 whereby rotation of the shaft 81 is accompanied by rotation of the shaft IZI. It will readily be seen that relative movement between the shafts IZI and 37 will always be accompanied by simultaneous rotation when the drive means is actuated, since the sprockets will be maintained in operative relation to the chains by the spacer bars I32 and I36. Thus, the first conveyor I2, second conveyor I iand intermediate conveyor chains I26 will all be simultaneously operated by the common drive means II.

or course, stop collars we are provided on the shafts 81, I34 and I2I for maintaining the spacer bars I32 and I36 in their desired relation.

The actuating means M8 is comprised of a cylinder I56 which is pivotall secured to a bracket IE2 at one end, which is in turn secured to the frame for fixed positioning. A piston IM and plunger I56 are reciprocably mounted in the cylinder i511 and the outer end of the plunger I56 is connected to a lever I53 which is pivotally mounted on the pin I66, the pin I59 being rotatably supported by the upstanding bracket I62 secured on the frame. A tension spring I64 connects the lever I58 to the cylinder I56 for normally maintaining the lever I56 in a first position.

A pair of levers I66 are pivotally connected together and to brackets on the frame and on the platform II2. A second pair of levers I58 are pivotally connected together and to the platform H2 and frame of the first conveyor. Intermediate levers I'IIJ are secured for rotation with the pin I66 and have their ends connected by connecting levers I72 to the pivot points between the pairs of levers I66 and I56, and I'M and I16.

As seen best in Figure 4, the pairs of levers I66 and I63 have their upper ends connected to the angle iron elements I66 and IIQ. It will therefore be seen that when the plunger I56 of the fiuid actuating means I 38 is moved from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 3, the levers will effect vertical movement of the platform IIZ with respect to the frame of the first conveyor, thereby raising the intermediate conveyor so that the upper surface thereof is in the same level as the tray $6 on the first conveyor.

Looking once again at Figure 1, it will be seen that a plat I86 is disposed in spaced relation to the end of the frame of the first conveyor I2 by means of the bars I82 and I6 I. A valve I36 is secured to the plate I86 and has an inlet conduit I38 and outlet conduit I93 connected thereto. The outlet conduit I99 connects the valve I86 with the cylinder I50.

The valve I66 is best shown in Figure 7 as comprising a valve housing IQII which is substantially cylindrical in cross section, having an end flange I96 for securing to the wall I36 by means of the screws I98. One end of the housing I86 is closed by the threaded closure 2E5] while the other end is provided with a bleeder hole 262. A piston valve ZII I is reciprocably mounted within the housing I94 and a spring 266 normally urges the valve 204 to a closed position. The piston valve 204 is provided with a transversely extending bore 208 which is adapted to be placed either out of communication with the conduits I88 and I9!) or in communication with the conduits I38 and 90 when a tray strikes the valve operator 216. The valve operator 21a is comprised of an angulated rod which has one end received in a recess 2l2 and one end of the piston valve 294 with a set screw 2M adapted to adjustably secure the valve operator 219 therein. The valve operator ZIB extends through a slot 216 in the plate 189 and is always positioned for engagement by a lon gitudinally moving tray 56 on the first conveyor 12, when it reaches its endmost position.

From the foregoing description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, it is believed that a device has been provided which will accomplish all of the objects hereinabove set forth and that the operation thereof will be readily obvious to one skilled in the art. When the conveyor system is in operation, the drive means I! is efiecting movement of all of the conveyors, including the first conveyor E2, the second conveyor It and the intermediate conveyor IE. As a tray :15 moves on the first conveyor 12 and reaches its endmost position, it will engage the valve operator 21B effecting displacement of the piston valve 264, and thereby providing communication between the conduits I88 and 196. Thus, fluid is supplied to one end of the cylinder i513 and actuates the piston 15:3 and plunger I56 to pivot the lever arrangement, thereby causing displacement between the platform H2 and the frame of the first conveyor 12, as seen in Figures 2 and 3. It will therefore be seen that as the intermediate conveyor 16 moves upwardly, it will engage the underside of the tray 49 and since the intermediate conveyor is in operation, the tray will be laterally moved with respect to the first conveyor !2 and will be engaged on the second conveyor [4 for further disposition.

Of course, various mechanical modifications and substitutions may be made which will fall within the scope of my invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a conveyor system, a pair offirst and second horizontal driven conveyors arranged in right angular relation, the first conveyor comprising a pair of driven side conveying members for supporting and moving an article, a driven cross conveyor disposed wholly between said members for transferring the article from the first to the second conveyor, supporting means for the cross conveyor operative to raise the same bodily above said members in a vertical path from a lowered position and maintaining said cross conveyor constantly level to lift the article ofi said members for transfer by the cross conveyor, means for operating said supporting means controlled by movement of the article by said members, means operatively connecting one of the pair of conveyors to the other for synchronized drive of the pair, and drive means for said one conveyor and the cross conveyor.

2. In a conveyor system according to claim 1. said supporting means comprising a vertically movable platform carrying said cross conveyor, guide means for said platform, and toggles operatively connected to said platform to raise the same.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 771,089 Prescott Sept. 27, 1904 1,132,840 Garrett Mar. 23, 1915 1,450,226 Rebstoci; Apr. 3, 1923 1,737,762 Howe Dec. 3, 1929 1,904,837 Posey Apr. 18, 1933 1,913,533 Brunner June 13, 1933 2,156,248 Wegner Apr. 25, 1939 

